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John T. Rettaliata student protest photographs, 1970

 Collection
Identifier: 024.05.09

Photographs of student protests on campus at Illinois Institute of Technology. Seven photographs of the Perlstein Hall sit-in show Rettaliata, James J. Brophy (academic vice president), and several other administrators facing the demonstrators. Thirteen images document a large crowd of protesters seated and standing in front of Perlstein Hall being addressed by student leaders-- some of the speakers were reportedly from Kent State. Fourteen images document Rettaliata's appearance before the open meeting.

Dates

  • Creation: 1970

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Available for Research

Collection Size

34 Photographs

Biographical / Historical

Following the May 4, 1970 fatal shootings of four students at Kent State University by the Ohio National Guard, eight million students (middle school, high school, and college) participated in a national "strike" protesting the events at Kent State. At IIT, there were two days of protests on May 7th and 8th with students holding a sit-in demonstration on the second floor of Perlstein Hall, site of IIT administrative offices. Once Pres. Rettaliata agreed to attend an open meeting of students and faculty that afternoon the Perlstein sit-in then dispersed. Rettaliata then answered questions for nearly four hours and reiterated his position that classes would remain in session for those who wished to attend, while those who wished to boycott would not be penalized.

Provenance

Formerly 2007.018

Related Material

See 1998.184 for additional JTR materials., See photos in 1998.199/Box S-2/ Folder: Student Protest-? for possible related images.

Processor

Catherine Bruck, University Archivist

Part of the Paul V. Galvin Library. University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
35 West 33rd Street
Chicago IL 60616
(312) 567-5993

Paul V. Galvin Library

35 West 33rd Street | Chicago, IL | 60616
312.567.6847 library@iit.edu